Fisherfolk blame Navotas reclamation for worsening floods

A group of fisherfolk under Pamalakaya-Navotas staged a protest in front of the Navotas City Hall on Wednesday, July 23, blaming the ongoing Navotas coastal bay reclamation project for the worsening floods that continue to affect the city.

- By HANNAH NICOL

The group chanted slogans and held up placards that read “Reklamasyon, perwisyo sa mamamayan” (Reclamation, a burden on the people) and “Reklamasyon at Kumbersyon, tutulan, labanan!” (Reclamation and land conversion—resist and oppose!).

The demonstrators demanded an immediate halt to the 650-hectare reclamation project being implemented by the city government in partnership with a private firm.

According to the group, the massive project has not only displaced thousands of fishing-dependent families, but has also contributed to prolonged and more frequent flooding in Navotas and neighboring parts of Metro Manila.